Mohamed Salah thumped the Liverpool crest after scoring from the penalty spot (Peter Byrne/PA)
Mohamed Salah thumped the Liverpool crest after scoring from the penalty spot (Peter Byrne/PA)
Liverpool were scintillating at times in beating Brighton 3-0 at Anfield, but do the media believe a corner has genuinely been turned?
The Reds produced one of their most convincing displays of the season on Saturday evening, with Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah getting the goals.
Here’s how the media reacted to a positive night at Anfield.
This was a Liverpool we haven’t seen enough of this season…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Athletic‘s James Pearce feels the Reds are showing more interest in the FA Cup this season:
“What a contrast to a year ago, when Liverpool crashed out at the fourth-round stage after losing to lower league Plymouth Argyle with a shadow line-up.
“Slot will also be buoyed by Liverpool securing back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since mid-December.
“It’s been a good week.”
Writing on X, David Lynch saw clear signs of encouragement from Arne Slot‘s side:
“There have still been plenty of bumps recently, but Liverpool are starting to produce better performances with a little more regularity now.
“A long way to go before anyone is certain a corner has been turned, but this was another encouraging one to keep the FA Cup journey going.”
Aadam Patel of BBC Sport believes Liverpool’s “swagger” has returned after a bitterly disappointing season:
“Liverpool played with a swagger that has perhaps been missing for most of their season. There was a tempo to their football and so much to admire for the first two goals, with Szoboszlai’s in particular coming at the end of a fine team move.
“Liverpool have now kept two clean sheets in a row too so, all in all, this was an evening where plenty of boxes were ticked.
“It would be a stretch to say they are back – but there are certainly encouraging signs.”
Mohamed Salah and others caught the media’s eye…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the third goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the third goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Kathryn Batte of the Telegraph showed her admiration for Salah, following a back-to-his-best evening:
“When Mohamed Salah last played against Brighton it was unclear whether he would ever pull on a Liverpool shirt again.
“It was the forward’s last game before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations and his first since claiming he had been thrown under the bus by manager Arne Slot.
“Salah later apologised and, in the end, stayed put in January. His long-term future may still be uncertain, with the forward out of contract at the end of the season, but his goal and assist to help Liverpool to the fifth round of the FA Cup showed why he is still one of the world’s best.”
Pearce praised an excellent performance from Jones:
“So calm in possession, Jones clearly relished being given a licence to drift into central areas and help launch attacks with his range of passing.
“He grasped his opportunity to shine and provided a timely reminder of what he offers Slot’s side.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ian Herbert of the Daily Mail lauded Milos Kerkez and defended his slow start at Liverpool:
“There has been the adjustment to British football to make and the Kop’s understandable embrace of Andy Robertson, arguably the greatest warrior soul of this generation.
“There is too little patience in football these days. Arne Slot somehow finds himself criticised for the slightest mannerism on forums and in podcasts and Kerkez has taken some negativity, too.
“But the 22-year-old left back was one the who provided the sparkle and the steel on Saturday night, delivering the cross from the wide area which met the arriving Curtis Jones and sent the side on their way, and far more besides that.”
The Mirror‘s Felix Keith had to focus on Szoboszlai, whose fabulous season continues:
“Szoboszlai has been by far and a way Liverpool’s best player this season. And it’s not even close.
“In a season which has lacked it, the Hungarian has been remarkably consistent, playing in a few different positions.
“His goal tonight was a perfect example of what he can do.”
Football – FA Cup – 4th Round – Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Football - FA Cup - 4th Round - Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Football – FA Cup – 4th Round – Liverpool FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 14, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (R) after scoring the second goal during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)